David Marchese of SPIN.com recently conducted an interview with drummer Chris Adler of Richmond, Virginia metallers LAMB OF GOD. An excerpt from the chat follows below.

SPIN.com: How are you feeling about your chances for a Grammy? You're up against some pretty big names — SLAYER, JUDAS PRIEST, MEGADETH, and MINISTRY.

Adler: Yeah, we were as surprised as anyone that we got nominated. But we've been through the process once before, so we know what to expect.... But the metal categories never seem to get televised.

SPIN.com: Is it a bit anti-climactic to actually go to the ceremony?

Adler: We still got all dolled up last time. Just kidding! You can take the redneck out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the redneck.

SPIN.com: Which of your fellow nominees would you be least upset to lose to?

Adler: Probably MEGADETH. I know that they’ve been nominated eight times and never won.

SPIN.com: They're the Susan Lucci of heavy metal.

Adler: [Laughs] I won't tell them you said that! But we know that band pretty well. They've been through the wringer. They deserve to win.

SPIN.com: It's unusual for a band to have their sixth album be their highest charting. Why do think you guys have been able to keep growing your fan base 15 years into your career?

Adler: In truth, I thought we'd peaked with [2006's] "Sacrament", which went to No. 8 on the album chart. "Redneck" from that album got played in a lot of places metal doesn't normally get played. And with the attention span of today's music fan being what it is, I thought we'd run our course popularity-wise. So we were all shocked at the fact that we intentionally put out a more aggressive album with "Wrath" and then had it sell better than the last one. It was really heartening. But by way of explanation, all I can think of is that the world isn't getting any easier to live in. A lot of people need to release some pressure, and I think heavy metal helps people do that. It's a stress relief.